About Us
From a derelict Council building and public toilets to a beloved grassroots venue, and from forgotten, abandoned coaching stables to our tiny, perfectly formed brewery, our journey is rooted in celebrating community, creativity, and craftsmanship.
Our beer is just another expression of who we are, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Our Journey: Ten Firkins at a Time
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Late 80’s
The Rumble Club
The Fonthill story goes back to the late 80s and early 90s when our founders began organising live music nights at various venues across Tunbridge Wells. These popular events, held under names like The Rumble Club and The Winchester Club, laid the foundation for our community-driven ethos.
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1993
The Birth of The Forum
In 1993, we transformed a derelict council building and public toilets in Fonthill — an area of Tunbridge Wells Common — into what is now the iconic Tunbridge Wells Forum, a grassroots venue that has hosted acts such as Oasis and Adele.
The opening of the Forum marked the beginning of our mission to create original, inclusive spaces where everyone can feel welcome.
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2006 – 2009
Expanding Our Vision
Inspired by the Forum’s success, we wanted a place where people could gather for drinks before and after gigs. That’s when we opened The Ragged Trousers, our first pub. Two years later, Greene King offered us a tenancy at the nearby Sussex Arms, which was under the threat of permanent closure.
We saw its potential, not just as a historic pub, but also as a community hub where people could come together for more events, open mic nights, and gigs.
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2016
The George and The Brewery
In 2016, we turned a closed nightclub, TN4, back into the historic pub it once was: The George.
Rich and Paul began brewing beer with a small pilot kit in a basement room at The George.
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2021
Lockdown II & III: The Birth of Fonthill Brewing Co.
The COVID lockdown wasn’t fun for anyone, but despite the challenges we faced, we used the time to upgrade our brewery. We moved our brewery into the George’s old stable block and upgraded from the tiny pilot kit in the basement to a 2.5–barrel plant capable of brewing ten firkins at a time.
We took our name from Fonthill, the location of the Tunbridge Wells Forum, and the place where our journey began. We were ready to produce more of the fantastic beers our community loves.
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2025
A New Chapter
2025 has brought big changes for Fonthill Brewing Co. The Taproom is now available for private hire, perfect for groups of up to 50 to celebrate together and enjoy fresh beer brewed right here on site.Â
Our brewery has had an upgrade too, with a brand-new fermentation vessel allowing us to produce more of our kegged beers. Over at The Sussex Arms, we’re now free of tie, meaning we can serve Fonthill beers alongside other fantastic craft brews. And to top it off, our Knut beer was crowned Best Green Hop Beer of the Festival at CAMRA’s 13th Spa Valley Railway Real Ale & Cider Festival.
Join the Fonthill Family
At Fonthill Brewing Co., we’re committed to crafting fantastic beer and cultivating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We invite you to join us in celebrating good beer and great company. Whether you’re a pub owner, a restaurant manager, a beer enthusiast, or someone trying beer for the first time, there’s a place for you in the Fonthill family.
Explore Our Beers
Discover our award-winning flagship pale ale, Good Morning Captain, our flavorful Flame On mango-infused IPA, and more excellent craft beers from Fonthill Brewing Co.
Partner with Us
Interested in stocking our exceptional beers at your place? We’re always open to collaborating with pubs, bars, and restaurants that share our values.